Destination DuVall...how we got to where we are: Beauty of Simplicity

I didn't realize just how much I've gotten used to our simple life here on the island until we went to Utah and Chattanooga back in April/May. It was our first time really being back in the States for more than a layover in the airport. I remember saying to Mike, "WOW! Look at those tall buildings!" looking up to the sky as we drove out of Atlanta airport getting on the "real" highway. It's been 7 months since we've been on a five-lane highway!

We had an incredible time catching up with friends and family. Mike drank up every minute of his continual education class and was inspired about his new cutting-edge techniques. My mother-in-law took me to get some "retail therapy" and it felt wonderful to be at a mall. Megumi soaked up every minute of her time with grandparents and all her "aunties" and "uncles". I couldn't get enough of the huge unlimited salad at Olive Garden and we made sure we ate out at Thai and Mexican restaurants. We enjoyed wearing jackets although the locals from Utah told us many times that the temperature in the 50s was not cold but warm. I loved shopping at Target and took extra time just walking down the aisles and giggled in delight when I found Chobani yogurt that Meg loves (but is usually an extra treat since it's so expensive here) for only a $1! The wedding in Tennessee of our dear friends was absolutely stunning despite the rain and it was a great time to catch up with college friends. I met up with some of my former middle school students who are now starting or in college and my heart swelled with pride. There were too many people to catch up with but we tried to see as many people as possible. They loved seeing us, but we had a strange suspicion that they really wanted to see Megumi the most. We loved sharing our experience here in St. Kitts and we were encouraged and were reminded of so many people who are lifting us up in prayer. By the end of our trip, we were sleep deprived but we felt recharged to go back to St. Kitts.

After our quick trip back to the States, I appreciate the simple life on the island more. We are back to our regular routines. Don't get me wrong, I still have my days of missing being able to get a take-out on my way home or going to Target with a friend. But it's all perspective. Isn't it? Sure, I wish I could take Megumi to a zoo to see all the animals she loves seeing in her book. But then again, we do see donkeys, horses, cows, baby pigs, goats...on our 10 minute drive home from picking up Mike from the clinic. We have monkeys regularly visiting our porch stuffing their little cheeks with the berries from our tree. I wish I could visit with my girlfriends and go to a park with our kids. But then again, God has provided me with opportunities to make new friends and have playdates at a pool. I wish I could go out to our favorite Thai restaurant. But then again, Mike just cooked up his "experimental" Phad Thai using Pinterest for lunch today and it was YUMMY! I miss eating blueberries and strawberries that are not frozen. But then again, it's so much fun to hear Megumi giggle as I try to knock down mangos from the tree behind Mike's clinic and coming home with a bag full of them to make smoothies. Trying out new tropical fruits like Wax Apple and Passion fruit that are in season right now is a treat too! I wish electricity wasn't so expensive and that I can just throw our laundry in the dryer. But then again, I would miss out on Megumi's little hands handing me clothes pins one-by-one and her proud grin for being a "mommy's helper" as I hang the laundry on the line. I wish I could drive to a book store or go somewhere other than the beach. But then again, I can smell the ocean and feel the cool breeze coming in from our porch as I type this blog.

Yes, I think I am appreciating the simple life more and more.